Born in Louisiana in 1969, Perry dropped out of school at sixteen, but shortly afterwards began writing plays.

His first feature film on which he acted as writer, producer and director, was 2002’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Produced on a shoe-string budget, it was a surprise box-office hit, and opened the gates for mainstream African-American feature success.

Tyler has since become best known for his work featuring his ‘Madea’ character, a franchise which embodies his artistic attitude of conscience portrayed with comedy.